Oregon Announces Hiring of Va Tech's Ben Thomas

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The University of Oregon has a new distance running coach. 

Ben Thomas, who spent 17 years at Virginia Tech, has been hired to replace Maurica and Andy Powell, who moved last month to take over the track and cross country programs at the University of Washington. 

The Eugene Register-Guard reports that Thomas is set to become the associated head coach for cross country and track and field and will work with the program's mid- and long-distance runners. 

Thomas has big shoes to fill and follows a lineage that includes Bill Bowerman, Bill Dellinger, Martin Smith, Vin Lananna and the Powells. 

"We are beyond thrilled to welcome Ben and his family to Eugene," Oregon head coach Robert Johnson said in an athletic department statement. "Ben has transformed the distance program at Virginia Tech, and has a proven record of success in recruiting, developing and mentoring student-athletes. We believe Ben will guide our distance program to heights that honor the incredible legacy of distance running here at the University of Oregon, and help take us into an exciting new era for Oregon track and field."